Braiding Self Acceptance and Self Esteem Camp

The S.A.S.E Hair Braiding camp has been in operation for the last 9 years and we are eagerly awaiting our 10th anniversary. Our camp’s 10-year anniversary will be an exciting time for us to celebrate and give back in a huge way to the young ladies in our community.

Our camp wouldn’t be possible without community support from other nonprofits such as Heal the Hood, UCan of Memphis, A Step Ahead, The Hygiene Chic, and sponsors that want to remain anonymous.

How we Started

In 2013, I saw a need in the community to help reach girls in Memphis, TN, and felt I should teach and reach from my skill set of styling and braiding hair. Memphis had an influx of teenage pregnancies, a growing runaway number, and a trafficking percentage. I pitched my idea around to family, and salon clients, and received supportive feedback. Thus Camp S.A.S.E. was established and created. The camp acronyms stand for Self Acceptance and Self Esteem. The meaning was perfect, based on the fact that many young ladies didn’t accept unique qualities about themselves and some struggled with self-esteem.

Each year since 2013, our camp has hosted Camp S.A.S.E in different locations to showcase a variety of the beautiful areas in Memphis. It’s important to me that the locations offer a unique space, with amenities, and are large enough for us to learn. It was pointed out to me that many children in underprivileged areas weren’t exposed to different parks, buildings, or hadn’t been more than 10-15 miles outside their community. Again, exposure is everything!

Camp S.A.S.E. has hosted young women from 9 different states. Those state representations have been of course Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia, Arkansas, South Dakota, Louisiana, Missouri, Kentucky, and Texas. We pride ourselves on diversity of inclusivity and welcome all. It’s with high hopes that we can host a Girl Power tour to reach other states and young women.